Yu Dabao the hero as China fightback to beat Kyrgyzstan at the Asian Cup

Marcello Lippi's men recover from being a goal down at half time to win Group C opener 2-1 in Al Ain

Kyrgyzstan's goalkeeper Matiash Pavel punches a cross onto his own crossbar, with the ball rebounding off him, to give China their equaliser. EPA

China's midfielder Zhang Chengdong fights for the ball with Kyrgyzstan's forward Mirlan Murzaev. AFP

Zhao Xuri heads the ball away for China. EPA

China's defender Yu Dabao his winning goal. AP Photo

Kyrgyzstan's goalkeeper Matiash clears the ball under pressure from Wu Lei. AP Photo

China's midfielder Zhongguo Chi and forward Xiao Zhi fight for the ball with Kyrgyzstan's midfielder Farhat Musabekov. AFP

Players from both sides scrap for the ball. AFP

China's players celebrate after scoring their equaliser. AFP

Kyrgyzstan's midfielder Akhlidin Israilov, left, and China's defender Wu Xi fight for the ball. AP Photo

Kyrgyzstan's players celebrate taking the lead. AFP

Kyrgyzstan's Murzaev Mirlan gets a header away. EPA

China manager Marcello Lippi on the sidelines. AP Photo

Kyrgyzstan's players celebrate with their fans after scoring the first goal. EPA

China's Chi Zhongguo, right, watches on as Sagynbaev Bekzhan falls over. EPA

Kyrgyzstan's midfielder Farhat Musabekov tussles for the ball with China's midfielder Jingdao Jin. AFP

Yu Dabao slots the ball into an empty net for China to take the lead, EPA

China came from behind to win their opening Group C game at the 2019 Asian Cup as they triumphed 2-1 against Kyrgyzstan in Al Ain.

It had been Kyrgyzstan who opened the scoring four minutes before half time as Akhlidin Israilov hooked a shot home from the edge of the area.

But China were level, in fortuitous circumstances five minutes after the restart, as Kyrgyzstan goalkeeper Pavel Matiash punched a cross against his own bar and the ball rebounded off him and into the net.

A miserable afternoon for Matiash at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium was completed with 12 minutes to go as he was slow to react to a ball over the top by the Chinese, with Yu Dabao beating him to the ball and rolling his short into an empty net to give Marcello Lippi's men the three points.

China will next go up against the Philippines on Friday in Abu Dhabi at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, while Kyrgyzstan will face the tough task to bounce back against group favourites South Korea at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

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